Francesca Stavrakopoulou
Michael Berkeley’s guest is Bible scholar Francesca Stavrakopoulou. With music by Tallis, Beethoven, Elgar and Handel.
Francesca Stavrakopoulou is fascinated by the Bible, and she’s a leading scholar of those ancient texts which have so profoundly shaped how we see the world. She’s Professor of Hebrew Bible and Ancient Religion at the University of Exeter; she’s also a convinced and passionate atheist. She is the author of several books about the Bible, and her most recent is her most daring: called “God: An Anatomy”, it draws on the Bible to describe the body of God, from head to foot, in a way she herself describes as “very controversial”.
In conversation with Michael Berkeley, Francesca talks about how her early fascination with Greek gods has inspired her to think differently about the God of the Bible. She talks movingly too about her partner, who served as a marine in Afghanistan, and how difficult it is to adjust to life after the army.
Music choices include Tallis, Beethoven, Elgar, and Handel’s portrayal of her favourite Biblical heroine, Athalia.
Produced by Elizabeth Burke
A Loftus Media production for ѿý Radio 3
Last on
Music Played
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George Frideric Handel
My vengeance awakes me (Athalia)
Singer: Elisabeth Scholl. Orchestra: Barockorchester Frankfurt. Conductor: Joachim Carlos Martini. -
Billy Joel
This Night
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Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata in C minor, Op.13 (Pathetique)(2nd mvt: Adagio Cantabile)
Performer: Igor Levit. -
Camille Saint‐Saëns
Bacchanale (Samson and Delilah)
Orchestra: Utah Symphony. Conductor: Thierry Fischer. -
Kinan Abou-afach
Petra I
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Thomas Tallis
Spem in alium
Choir: I Fagiolini. Conductor: Robert Hollingworth. -
Edward Elgar
Nimrod (Enigma Variations)
Orchestra: West–Eastern Divan Orchestra. Conductor: Daniel Barenboim. -
Steve Reich
Tehillim
Orchestra: Los Angeles Philharmonic. Choir: Synergy Vocals. Conductor: Stefan Asbury.
Broadcast
- Sun 19 Sep 2021 12:00ѿý Radio 3
Podcast
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Private Passions
Guests from all walks of life discuss their musical passions.